"I Appeal To You..."

 📖  I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)

If we are believers in Christ and His authority, that is what we are called to do, live in harmony...peace with each other. 

Not just with people we agree with, who make the same decisions we do, or have the same thought process we do.  But with those who have different opinions,  make different choices. Our unity is our love for Christ and His teachings found in God's Holy Word. 

📖 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18

We can disagree with people and still love them and treat them respectfully. 

Even on the big stuff.

Because that is what we are asked to do

and because that is what Jesus himself did. It is one of the reasons He came. It was one of His names prophesied in Isaiah. 

📖 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Jesus said we are called God's children and are blessed if WE can make peace.

📖Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.  Matthew 5:9

It isn't easy. We, on our own, cannot be peacemakers. But our humbled hearts, surrendered to Him can be filled with HIS peace. 

📖 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Even when we feel chaos is swirling around us...we can be peace, HIS peace. 

🙏🏼My prayer for today and this week;

📖 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. [AMEN] Colossians 3:15 ❤️

Be A Friend

 I don't know how some weeks it is Friday and all the ideas and thoughts I have rolling around in my head haven't come out in some form. 

And today was no exception....then I read something and here I am!

A portion of a book...not a scholarly book, or a deeply spiritual book, a children's book. But with deep meaning put down in simple form and spoken by endearing characters. 

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne.

It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn’t heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore’s stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.

“Hello Eeyore,” said Pooh.

“Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet,” said Eeyore, in a Glum Sounding Voice.

“We just thought we’d check in on you,” said Piglet, “because we hadn’t heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay.”

Eeyore was silent for a moment. “Am I okay?” he asked, eventually. “Well, I don’t know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That’s what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. Which is why I haven’t bothered you. Because you wouldn’t want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All, would you now.”

Pooh looked and Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.

Eeyore looked at them in surprise. “What are you doing?”

“We’re sitting here with you,” said Pooh, “because we are your friends. And true friends don’t care if someone is feeling Sad, or Alone, or Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are.”

“Oh,” said Eeyore. “Oh.” And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.

Because Pooh and Piglet were There. No more; no less.

A.A. Milne The House On Pooh Corner (1928)

📖 A friend loves at all times,

    and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

📖  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

What a friend needs at a particular moment will look different. 
Laying down one's life may not mean actual death, but the sacrifice of our time, scheduled plans or our needs to just be there for someone who needs another present. 
🙏🏼Lord, show us, lead us, fill us, strengthen us, to be a friend today.♥️

📖  This is my command: Love each other. John 15:17